Congressional Campaign Finance Process
The modern system of congressional campaign financing is unquestionably a controversial issue that has gradually evolved into a favorable election system for the rich and incumbent officers. ... To understand the ordinary citizens “virtual exclusion from a meaningful role” in Congress, one must be familiar with the history of campaign finance. It is important to know that the controversy of campaign finance stretches all the way back to the 19th century, where the Naval Appropriations Bill was enacted in 1867 to regulate solicitation of money from naval yard workers. (History of Campaign Finance) Because of this initial enactment were several other laws such as the Smith Connally Act, the Taft-Hartley Act, and the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971. Then in 1974, a new FECA was signed into law at a crucial period of time – the era of post Watergate Scandal (which involved Nixon’s failed attempt at pilfering campaign funds). The 1974 FECA created the individual contribution limit of $1000, the PAC contribution limit of $5000, limited contributions to a candidate’s own campaign, and it also created the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Two years later, in 1976, Senator Buckley sued on behalf of his first amendment right that allows one to spend as much as one wants on his/her own election under the basis that giving money to a campaign fund is a form of free speech. ... Valeo, resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that an individual can contribute as much of his own money to his/her own campaign because it is a form of free speech, but said that the contribution limits from other individuals and PACs would be upheld because it helps enhance the "integrity of our system of representative democracy by guarding against unscrupulous practices.